Britain News

Valley Heights - Survivors of last year's devastating Australian bushfires met with Prince William and his wife Catherine on Thursday as the royal couple visited the Blue Mountains.

London - Britain's unemployment rate dropped to a five-year low point of 6.9 percent in the quarter to February, as the country's economic recovery picks up speed before next year's general election.The rate dropped from 7.

Sydney - Global mining giant BHP Billiton raised its fiscal year iron ore production outlook for a second time this year on Wednesday after seeing a better-than-expected jump in output for January-March.

London - Supermarket giant Tesco announced a second drop in annual profits in a row on Wednesday, leaving Britain's biggest retailer hoping that recent expansion into India and China can offset weakness in Europe.

Sydney - Global mining giant BHP Billiton lifted full-year iron ore guidance on Wednesday and posted better than expected March quarter output of 49.6 million tonnes.

Sydney - Britain's Prince William and wife Kate charmed a welcoming crowd at the Sydney Opera House on Wednesday as they began the Australian leg of a tour Down Under with baby Prince George.

London - British police said Tuesday they had intervened after North Korean embassy officials reportedly told a London hairdresser to take down a discount haircuts advert featuring leader Kim Jong-Un.

London - Diageo launched on Tuesday a new $1.9-billion offer to take control of Indian whisky maker United Spirits as the British drinks giant chases expansion in emerging markets.The doubled offer worth 1.

Paris - Imperial Tobacco on Tuesday announced the closure of factories in Britain and France with the loss of 900 jobs, citing declining sales in Europe, tougher anti-smoking measures and the growth of contraband sales.

Paris - French nuclear power group Areva said on Tuesday it was part of a consortium retained for a major contract in Britain to handle radioactive metallic waste.